Paula Stanghetta January 6, 2022Our relationship with travel has been under siege for almost two years. Travellers are starved for adventure and excitement in grand proportion. It’s no surprise then that optimistic predictions point to a potential banner year for rebound travel in 2022. What exactly are travellers looking for when it comes to travel in 2022? Here are the top trends for 2022.
Wellness Tourism
Travellers are keen to tie travel to their well-being. According to American Express, 78% of respondents have identified health and wellness as a key goal for 2022 and are looking for travel experiences that align with their wellness intentions. Here at MP TOURS we are hosting a new tour experience “Women, Wellness, and Wine” in late August 2022. Yes, you can have wellness and wine – in fact, it is one of the key ingredients in the Blue Zones’ approach to healthy living. To find out more about this tour, contact us.
Outdoor Experiences
According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, 75% of European travellers are looking to incorporate the outdoors into their 2022 travel experiences. Moreover, 47% want to experience nature on their next trip. Whether it’s forest bathing or water trekking, strolling through a medieval town, or scaling Kilaminjaro, we are keen to do it all in the glorious outdoors.
Trip-of-a-Lifetime
Travellers are looking to treat themselves after a long period of travel deprivation. Options such as private flights and luxury hotel experiences are increasingly popular. Destinations that are exotic and immersive are on travellers’ radar: continents like Antarctica, or places such as the Indian Ocean Islands, Jordan, or Tanzania are calling adventurers. So many alluring off-the-beaten-track possibilities to contemplate!
The GOAT Mindset
The GOAT (Greatest Of All Trips) Mindset speaks to unforgettable experiences, staying longer in one location, being more present and mindful, seeing less but immersing more. Might this trend translate into less photo ops and more naked eye experiences?
Ecotourism and Sustainability
Trips that respect local ecosystems, incorporate sustainability, and that support local are attractive to a growing number of travellers. Amadeus, a global travel tech company, reports that 2/3 of consumers consider sustainability a priority when researching travel.
Domestic Travel
As travel re-builds, the domestic market in any country will still be a solid choice for those not quite ready to travel internationally in 2022. National, regional, and local tourist boards are busy showcasing domestic travel options by enticing travellers to explore their own countries. Furthermore, hyper-local travel is also catching on as we explore neighbourhoods, take walking tours, short road trips, and discover places we’ve lived beside but never known about.
Working with Travel Designers/Advisors
While travellers will continue to research where they want to go and what they want to do, many more are investing in the services of travel designers to pull all of their travel dreams and details together. The Family Travel Association notes that 65% of travellers are now considering using a Travel Advisor (similar to a Travel Designer). These are professionals who can wade through the rapidly-changing travel landscape on behalf of travellers and ensure all the finer details are addressed. We call it travel peace-of-mind.
Travel Values
One of the most significant trends that will impact travel in 2022 is the shifting values that are emerging among travellers. Whereas in the past, price (i.e. lowest price) was something travellers valued the highest, this is changing. According to Travel Pulse: “The shift in consumer values was remarkably consistent across the global markets surveyed, with the emphasis shifting away from finding the lowest prices to ensuring booking flexibility and product cleanliness.” Travel agencies and Tour Operators are revising their policies to reflect changing norms and expectations regarding cancellations. Travellers are advised to review these policies carefully to be fully informed of booking conditions.
What types of rebound travel in 2022 do you have planned?
There are many motivations for travel. As the travel landscape re-imagines itself and you begin to come out of our collective cocoon, think about what inspires you to travel. Whatever it is – from celebration to rebound – make it fun, make it safe, and make it memorable!
